PRENTISS, Seargent Smith, a Representative from Mississippi; born in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine,
September 30, 1808; attended Gorham (Maine) Academy and was graduated from Bowdoin College,
Brunswick, Maine, in 1826; studied law in Gorham, Maine, and in Cincinnati, Ohio; moved to
Natchez, Adams County, Miss.; was admitted to the bar in 1829 and commenced practice in
Vicksburg, Miss.; member of the state house of representatives 1836-1837; as a Whig, contested the
election of John F.H. Claiborne to the Twenty-fifth Congress and the election was set aside by the
House; subsequently elected to fill the vacancy caused by this action and served from May 30, 1838,
to March 3, 1839; was not a candidate for renomination in 1838; unsuccessful candidate for the
United States Senate in 1839-1840; resumed the practice of law at Vicksburg; moved to New
Orleans, La, in 1845 and resumed the practice of law; died at Longwood, near Natchez, Miss., July
1, 1850; interment in the private burying ground at ``Longwood.''